House Plan Companies in Honolulu

“We’ve worked with enough architects to know how rare Aaron Shimizu is. At Lanikai Homes, we do high-end renovations and design-build style projects where timelines, budgets, and execution matter just as much as aesthetics. Aaron fits that world perfectly. He’s responsive (actually responds), communicates clearly, and produces drawings that make sense to builders in the field, not just pretty plans that fall apart the second you hit real conditions. That alone has saved us a ton of time and avoided costly rework. But the biggest value Aaron brings is his deep, real-world knowledge of Honolulu DPP and permitting. He doesn’t just “get permits.” He knows how the system actually works, what will trigger issues, what to fix first, and how to get projects back onto legal ground when things are messy. We’ve seen homeowners buy a property and not even realize how many unpermitted or nonconforming items they inherited, then they’re staring down serious fines or a nightmare path forward even when they just want a simple permit or thing done. Aaron is honestly a wizard at untangling that, creating a clean plan to legalize what’s needed, and guiding it through the right channels without wasting months. We've had multiple permits routed recently in a fraction of the time of other permit routers. He also thinks ahead. He flags potential problems early, keeps things moving when approvals or utilities could stall a job (he’s even the type to tell you to call DPP before paying so you don’t get stuck), and he respects design intent, translating a specific style direction into something buildable and code-compliant without watering it down. If you’re looking for an architect who’s sharp, proactive, and genuinely invested in the success of your project (not just checking a box), Aaron is by far the top recommendation.”

“We highly recommend Archipelago Hawaii. Archipelago has been an indispensable go-to resource for us in space planning our 4,000 sf house, designing fabulous custom furniture and procuring nearly everything else. From window and floor coverings to outdoor furnishings to wall-sized custom entertainment centers, and bedding accessories, Tiare and her team have done it all. They've been in the business a long time and this is clear given the spot-on recommendations, contacts and knowledge that come from long experience.”

“I absolutely love the house Bill designed for me! The high ceilings with an attic fan and positioning of the house maximized on the natural breezes that kept the house 10 degrees cooler than my neighbor. I love the built-in cabinets and the kitchen. The open design felt warm and comfortable while also staying light and airy. Bill was open during the design process listening to our ideas and offering suggestions in a kind and positive way.”